From CDF FT France's new carrier with QM2 hull!!

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London Financial Times
January 14, 2004
Pg. 3

Paris Revives Prospect Of Joint Carrier Procurement

By Jean-Pierre Neu

France has opted for a conventional propulsion system for its second
aircraft carrier, reviving the prospect of a joint procurement with the UK
involving three ships.

Thales, the French defence contractor, has proposed a design based on the
hull of the Queen Mary 2, the new Cunard cruise ship, Les Echos, the French
financial newspaper, has learnt.

A contract to build two carriers for the UK was awarded to BAE Systems and
Thales last year, with the UK defence contractor leading the project.

But the French government hopes its decision in favour of a conventional
system for a second carrier to complement the nuclear- powered Charles de
Gaulle will cause the Ministry of Defence to think again.

In particular, it hopes to exploit strained relations between BAE Systems
and the ministry to see a joint project relaunched under French industrial
leadership.

The decision was taken by President Jacques Chirac and Miche le
Alliot-Marie, defence minister, on January 5 and is expected to be
announced late in March.

Using the QM2 design will enable Thales to offer a conventional ship
capable of meeting the Royal Navy’s needs and incorporating the catapult
needed to launch France’s Rafale fighter.

Direction des Constructions Navales, the state warship builder, which
lobbied for the nuclear option, has changed tack. It said: “Every defence
project must take into account the industrial co-operation dimension.”